Harrington, Lowry and McIlroy to draw big early gallery at the K Club

Royal Dublin’s Max Kennedy has been handed a plum draw alongside former Masters champions Patrick Reed and Danny Willett from the first at 1.30pm

SPANISH SPLASH: Spain's Rafa Cabrera Bello blasts out of the trap during practice for the Amgen Irish Open at The K Club. The Spaniard is paired with Ireland's Conor Purcell for the opening two rounds. Pic: Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile

A big early Thursday morning crowd looks guaranteed as Pádraig Harrington, Shane Lowry and Rory McIlroy tee off in consecutive groups in the first round of the Amgen Irish Open at The K Club.

There are 11 Irishmen in the field and while Dubliner Robert Moran is off in the first group from the first tee at 7.30am, the big three will go off the 10th shortly afterwards.